PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer

Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE DELEGATION

OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES USA

Antelias, Lebanon – On Saturday, January 22, 2005, His Holiness Catholicos
Aram I received a delegation of the National Council of Churches USA at the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias-Lebanon. The representatives of
the Middle East Council of Churches and His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian
(Ecumenical Officer) were also in attendance. The delegation is visiting the
Middle East to be acquainted with the situation more closely and to express
its solidarity to the peace process.

His Holiness shared with his guests the emerging religious, social and
political concerns in Lebanon and the Middle East and underlined the
importance of overcoming violence and establishing a peaceful society
enhanced by Christian-Muslim long-standing co-existence.

His Holiness spoke about the challenges facing the ecumenical movement and
identified areas where the Churches should co-operate and support each
other. His Holiness underlined that ecumenical advocacy and solidarity
should be expressed through the tangible actions and continuous support of
Churches towards each other. “We do not live in isolation. Global, regional
and local challenges are inter-connected and we need to adopt a policy of
facing them together and responsibly. In this respect, the role of the
Churches should be expressed as bridge-builders and promoters of dialogue
and collaboration, and the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is strongly
committed to this principle” underlined His Holiness.

Referring to the situation in Iraq and Jerusalem, His Holiness reminded all
the Churches and especially the USA Churches to encourage their governments
to work for peace and justice all over the world and to embark on the
establishment of communities living in an atmosphere of mutual respect and
trust. “The Armenians in the Holy Land and Iraq are integral part of the
population of these countries who are the focus of our prayers and
attention. We are sharing all the difficulties in the region and
contributing to the peace process with a firm commitment to the
Christian-Muslim co-existence and the promotion of the common values that
have sustained us for centuries,” stated His Holiness.

The delegation expressed its gratitude for this opportunity and invited His
Holiness to address the National Council of Churches USA Board meeting in
October, in New York.

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Baghdasarian